The Jews and Vatican II - Bp. Germán Fliess 11-12-23

SummaryThe homily is a theological discourse centered on the primacy of charity (love) as the highest Christian virtue, articulated chiefly through the teachings of Saint Paul and further illuminated by classical theology and contemporary critique. Bp. Germán Fliess begins by emphasizing Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians to embody a suite of Christian virtues—mercy, humility, patience, and modesty—yet above all to cultivate charity, described as the “bond of perfection.” Charity is portrayed not merely as a virtue among others but as the life-giving force that animates and perfects all other virtues. Without charity, even the most extraordinary deeds or faith are rendered worthless in a spiritual sense.Bp. Fliess then explores the nature of true charity, with Saint Paul’s detailed description from 1 Corinthians 13 serving as the foundation: charity is patient, kind, free from envy and pride, not self-seeking or easily angered, rejoicing in truth, and enduring all things. This comprehensive portrayal underscores that possessing charity means possessing all virtues, as charity subsumes and animates them.Bp. Fliess further elaborates on charity’s supreme value using the parable of the pearl of great price, stressing the necessity of discerning true charity from false charity. False charity, described as a counterfeit of the highest good, is a grave corruption that can mislead and harm souls. His Excellency then introduces the insights of theologian Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, who identified two forms of false charity: one characterized by undue indulgence and cowardly meekness, and another by sentimental humanitarianism masquerading as true love but ultimately undermining authentic Christian faith. This false charity is seen as a major contemporary threat, particularly in the context of Vatican II and its aftermath.Bp. Fliess critiques Vatican II’s approach to ecumenism and religious tolerance, especially its treatment of the Jewish people and Protestant churches, accusing it of promoting a false charity that dilutes the central truths of Catholicism. This false charity is blamed for fostering confusion and spiritual harm by denying the exclusivity of the Catholic Church as the one true Church founded by Christ. Vatican II’s leaders, particularly John Paul II and Benedict XVI (Ratzinger), are viewed as propagators of this false charity, more dangerous than overt enemies of the Church because of their ability to deceive under the guise of Catholicism.His Excellency concludes with a call to reject all obstacles to true charity, to embrace fully the supernatural love of God, and to seek this virtue above all else, as it is the foundation for eternal bliss and spiritual perfection. The invocation of the Trinity at both the beginning and the end frames the entire discourse within the Christian mystery of God’s love.HighlightsCharity is the highest Christian virtue and the “bond of perfection” that vivifies all other virtues.Without charity, other virtues or deeds hold no spiritual merit or value.True charity, as described by Saint Paul, embodies patience, kindness, humility, and unconditional love.False charity is a dangerous counterfeit that corrupts the best virtue and can mislead souls.Gary Gula Grange’s analysis identifies false charity as either indulgent weakness or sentimental humanitarianism.Vatican II’s ecumenical approach is criticized for promoting a false charity that undermines Catholic truth, particularly regarding Jews and Protestants.The call to sell all to acquire true charity emphasizes its supreme value and necessity for eternal salvation.Key InsightsCharity as the Core of Christian Perfection: The text reinforces that charity is not simply one virtue among many but the essential virtue that integrates and perfects all others. This highlights a foundational Christian theological principle that spiritual life is not about isolated acts of virtue but about love as the animating force. Without charity, even miraculous deeds or profound faith are spiritually empty, underscoring the primacy of love in salvation.The Multifaceted Nature of Charity: Saint Paul’s description (1 Corinthians 13) serves as a detailed blueprint for what true charity entails. It is patient and kind, free from envy and arrogance, not self-seeking or easily angered, truthful, hopeful, and enduring. This comprehensive portrait reveals that charity is an active and enduring commitment to others grounded in God’s love, not merely a feeling or sentiment.The Danger of False Charity: The text’s discussion of false charity illuminates a critical contemporary problem—a counterfeit form of love that can be more harmful than outright hostility. False charity, whether in the form of indulgent weakness or sentimental humanitarianism, can mask error and lead souls away from truth. This insight warns against complacency and urges vigilance in discerning authentic love from its imitation.Theological and Philosophical Principle of Corruption of the Best: The principle “optimi corruptio pessima” (the corruption of what is best is the worst) is used to explain why false charity is especially dangerous. This insight highlights that evil disguised as good is more pernicious because it deceives and corrupts from within, making it harder to resist and combat.Critique of Vatican II’s Ecumenism: The critique of Vatican II’s approach to religious pluralism and its relations with Jews and Protestants reflects a conservative theological stance concerned with doctrinal purity and the exclusivity of the Catholic Church. The text argues that Vatican II’s so-called charity led to theological compromise and spiritual confusion, undermining the Church’s mission to preach the fullness of truth.The Role of Church Leaders in Promoting or Resisting False Charity: The text places significant responsibility on Church hierarchy, particularly popes and bishops, for either upholding true charity or promoting false charity. The analysis suggests that leaders like John Paul II and Benedict XVI, despite their prominence, contributed to the confusion by endorsing false charity, making them more dangerous than overt enemies who are openly opposed to the Church.Call to Radical Commitment to Charity: The concluding call to “sell all” to acquire the pearl of great price (true charity) encapsulates the spiritual challenge to Christians: to relinquish all that hinders the full embrace of God’s love. This radical commitment is presented as the path to spiritual perfection and eternal happiness, emphasizing charity’s transformative and eternal significance.The homily, therefore, serves as both a theological affirmation of charity’s primacy and a critique of contemporary ecclesial trends, urging fidelity to authentic Christian love as revealed by Scripture and tradition.TrueCatholicFaith.com